The best Polygon stories of 2021

And just like that, we’ll end 2021. That’s another thing, we’ll say, interesting years, and we hope we can give you a respite from … *gestures at everything* … in the series of stories and videos we’ve sent out into the world. Are from the deepest secrets of Lord of the Rings arrive the magic of playing games on an ancient television (and Everything in between), we’ve got you covered. Thanks, as always, for joining us on this wild journey we call Polygon. We look forward to continuing to serve you in 2022!

Year of the Ring

Illustration: Petrana Radulovic / Polygon | Image source: New Line Cinema

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of this longstanding cinematic classic, we’re exploring every aspect of Peter Jackson’s trilogy, from JRR Tolkien’s source material to the best scenes and moments, with the continued influence of The fellowship of the ring, Two towers, and The return of the King about modern popular culture. Read stories

Playing games on the old TV connects me to the present

via Jordan Starkweather

Illustration: Jinhwa Jang for Polygon

CRTs may be large, but they offer something a flat-screen TV will never have. Read the story

Farewells, porn and bakas: Legends of the Barnes & Noble manga

via Ana Diaz

Photo: Ana Diaz / Polygon

What if we kissed in the Barnes & Noble manga? Read the story

The first 15 seconds guide of every game

via Patrick Gill

When you launch a video game, you’ll see a bunch of logos and stuff you might not recognize. Welcome to the exciting world of middleware! Watch video

D&D’s Drizzt books are built on stories about racism. RA Salvatore wants to change that

via Charlie Hall

Image: Harper Voyager

“If the dead are portrayed as evil, it’s a troll that has to go…” Read the story

In the 80s, she was a pioneer in the field of video games. Today, no one can find her

by Patricia Hernandez

Illustration: James Bareham / Polygon

The search for Ban Tran. Read the story

Netflix has trouble with its biracial characters

via Petrana Radulovic

Image: Netflix

It continues to exclude parents of color from their coming-of-age stories. Read the story

Origin of Noob Saibot

via Michael McWhertor

Image: NetherRealm Studios / Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

Mortal Kombat’s secret ninja is even a secret to the man he’s named after. Read the story

Graphics: Alyssa Nassner / Polygon | Image source: DreamWorks

A collection of thought stories about the elf himself, 20 years after his origin story. Read stories

My living room has three TVs and is a harbinger of human evolution

via Ryan Gilliam

Illustration: Inkee Wang for Polygon

What is the best type of TV to place in your living room based on wall size and availability? The answer is not one TV, but three. Read the story

A Little Oral History of Willy Wonka’s Raw Chocolate River Scene

via Matt Patches

Image: Warner Bros.

“That scene probably wasn’t approved by OSHA.” Read the story

It took me two years and 300 hours to defeat Sekiro

via James Bareham

Illustration: James Bareham / Polygon | Image source: FromSoftware / Activision

I don’t consider myself a gamer. The first time when I informed some experienced gamer friends that I was going to play Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, most of them suggested I stay away from it. I didn’t listen to them. Read the story

An investigation into the lack of kisses in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

via Joshua Rivera

Composer: Joshua Rivera / Polygon

Do superheroes know there are many reasons to kiss? We should tell them. Read the story

Why Assassin’s Creed Unity Can’t Rebuild Notre Dame

via Simone de Rochefort

Our perception of historical accuracy needs a lot of retooling. Read the story

Street Fighter: The Movie: The Game: An History

via Matt Leone

Our Street Fighter history series continues with a look at when Capcom copied the clones. Read the story

Inside the Neopets . black market

via Nicole Carpenter

Image: Neopets / JumpStart

The ‘black market’ players want you to know that they are not petty thieves. Read the story

MiSTer 101: A classic gaming device to rule them all

via Christopher Grant

Illustration: Justin Volz for Polygon

If you’re interested in playing the exact same games from your youth, exactly how you remember them, look no further. Read the story

Deathloop’s big twist is unexplored and underappreciated

via Maddy Myers

Image: Arkane Studios / Bethesda Softworks via YouTube

The main characters of Deathloop, Julianna and Colt, spend the game exchanging bullets and sarcasm with each other. Their chemistry is my favorite part of the game – until DeathloopThe big ending and the dead man’s ending sent chills down my spine. Read the story

Sonic Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Crash: Oral History

Via Jack Yarwood

Photo: Andrew Toth / Getty Images for Sega of America

The infamous moment, as told by those present. Read the story

Activision Blizzard workers go out to call for CEO Bobby Kotick to resign

via Nicole Clark and Nicole Carpenter

Photo: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times / Getty Images

Employees protested at Activision Blizzard offices and online. Read the story